This is not how Aleksandar Džikić's new Hapoel Jerusalem hoped to open its season in the Winner League, when after two games the Reds are still winless.
After recording a disappointing loss in the first round of the league for the season, the Reds met Bnei Herzliya tonight (Saturday) at the Jubilee Hall with the aim of moving on and achieving their first win of the season in the league, but desires are one thing and reality is another.
The Reds looked unconnected and uncoordinated, failed to stop Chris Babb and his friends and suffered a second league loss in a row and opened the season with a 0:2 negative balance, for the first time since the 2013/14 season, even then they lost to Herzliya in the second round, the heel ended with 66:83.
On the other hand, the holder of the Oren Aharoni trophy can return to smiling after starting her season in a stuttering way, with two consecutive losses in the league and in Europe, but overcame them with an impressive victory.
The group from Sharon received in its ranks the purchasing center Julian Gamble who made his debut, and recorded the first victory of the season in front of the home crowd, which filled the hall.
The first half was tight throughout, with both teams showing hesitant basketball that is typical for the start of a season.
Good minutes by Liwai Randolph led the guests from Jerusalem to a run at the end of the second quarter and a 7-point lead at the end.
The cup holder opened the second half with a storm, and under the leadership of Chris Babb Shabalt took control of the game with a one-sided third quarter, and took an eight-point lead.
Aharoni's students continued to dominate the match in the last quarter as well and increased their advantage to 13 points, which they successfully maintained until the end.
Oren Aharoni, photo: Oded Karni
Upper Galil defeated BS 84:90
In another game held this evening, Hapoel Galil Iliyon won 84:90 over Hapoel BS.
The visitors got off to a good start thanks to Teidejan Keita, who scored their first 8 points in the game.
The new guard Kalil Ahmed, with first points in Israel - completed a three-point move that determined the result of the first quarter.
25:18 for Sh.
The trend continued in the second quarter as well, and the southerners increased their lead to 16 thanks to the excellent minutes of the young Israelis Tomer Porat and Roy Pritsky.
Nimrod Levy, one of the best players in the league last season, is currently out of action, after he committed a second early foul and went to the bench.
At the break, the guests led 51:43.
Barak Peleg's team only got into the game in the third quarter, led by Abdul Malik Abu and Iti Moshkowitz - who gave Galil the first lead of the game three minutes before the end of the quarter.
Pritsky, in a great game, scored a beautiful basket at the buzzer.
10 minutes to the end - BS Mobila 69:67.
The last quarter went close and close and the advantage went from side to side.
Jaylen Hudson (19 points) with 2 accurate shots from the penalty spot 19 seconds to the end decided, and gave Galil its first sweet victory of the season 84:90.
Roy Pritsky (12 points and 7 rebounds), who played an excellent game, missed an important shot from the line at the right moment.
Already at an early stage of the season it can be said that Barak Peleg has very good foreigners, and this season as well, the Galilee will speak loudly in the local arena.
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